LOGINAriana didn’t like how aware she felt.Of him.Of everything.Of the fact that there was no pretending last night didn’t happen.She sat at the edge of the bed now, her fingers loosely wrapped around a glass of water she hadn’t taken a sip from. The room was quiet, but not in the peaceful way it had been earlier.This silence had weight.Behind her, she could hear him moving slow, unhurried, like nothing about this morning required urgency.That alone made her chest tighten slightly.How was he so calm?Ariana finally stood, needing space, even if it was just a few steps toward the window. The city stretched out below, bright and alive, completely unaware that her entire situation had just… shifted.“You’re avoiding me.”His voice came from behind her.Calm.Certain.Of course he noticed.“I’m not,” she said, even though she didn’t turn around.A pause.Then“You are.”Ariana exhaled quietly, closing her eyes for a second before turning to face him.Adrian stood a few steps away, slee
The night should have ended quietly.That was what Ariana expected when they stepped out of the banquet cool air, a slow walk to the car, maybe a few light words before they went home.Nothing complicated.Nothing that would stay with her.“Adrian.”The voice came from behind them.Soft. Familiar.Ariana turned, and the moment she saw the woman approaching, something in her stilled without warning.Clara.Adrian didn’t look surprised.That was the first thing Ariana noticed.“Clara,” he said.Not questioning.Not confused.Just… recognition.And somehow, that alone shifted something.Clara smiled like she belonged there, like she had every right to walk up to him like this, to stand close—too close without hesitation.“I knew that was you,” she said lightly, her eyes on him, not even sparing Ariana more than a brief glance. “You still disappear the moment you arrive anywhere.”A small, familiar tone in her voice.Like this wasn’t new.Like he wasn’t new.Ariana felt it.Subtle, but im
Ariana let out a soft breath that she didn’t even realize she’d been holding. That moment the smile she gave, a real, genuine one had hung in the air between them longer than usual, and it felt like more than just a reaction. It felt like something stirring. Something tender. And maybe a little dangerous.Adrian watched her with an expression that wasn’t teasing anymore just attentive. His eyes took in the subtle curve of her smile, the relaxed way she swayed slightly against the bar, the way her hair framed her face when she wasn’t trying to control it. There was warmth in his gaze now, something quiet and soft that didn’t demand attention, just acknowledged it.“You know,” he said, voice low enough to be sincere instead of playful, “that smile suits you.”Ariana blinked, startled by how easily his words stayed with her. “It’s just a smile,” she said lightly, though her heart wasn’t quite convinced.“It’s not ‘just,’” he corrected gently. “Some smiles are like greetings. Yours looks
Adrian didn’t follow her immediately.Ariana had already drifted toward the bar, fingers brushing the edge of the counter as if she needed something to do with her hands when she wasn’t thinking too hard. Her eyes scanned the crowd casually, but Adrian could see the slight tension in the way she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. A hint of impatience or maybe curiosity.He watched her for a moment, appreciating the way she carried herself, before reaching for his phone. The call connected almost instantly.“That was fast,” Ethan said, sounding far too relaxed for someone who had just caused minor chaos. “I was actually wondering how long it would take you to call.”Adrian didn’t waste time. “You called her.”A pause. Then, completely unapologetic: “Yeah.”Adrian’s jaw tightened slightly. “Why?”Ethan let out a short laugh. “Relax. It wasn’t serious.”“You don’t get to decide that.”“It was just one call,” Ethan said. “I didn’t threaten her. I just wanted to see how she’d r
Ariana leaned lightly against the marble bar, trying not to draw too much attention to herself. The banquet was in full swing, a swirl of chatter, laughter, and the gentle clinking of glasses. She sipped her drink, though she hadn’t really tasted it, and let her eyes wander over the crowd.Her gaze found Adrian across the room. He was speaking quietly with a host, moving through the space with that effortless grace that always made him stand out. Even from a distance, he radiated control, confidence, and something… something that made her chest tighten in a way she couldn’t quite explain.She shook her head slightly, forcing herself to focus on the people around her. She could do this. She could blend in. She’d been doing it all her life. Yet, even as she laughed at a passing joke from a colleague, her mind kept drifting back to him.Then she noticed him glance briefly in her direction. For a moment, their eyes met, and she felt that familiar little pull in her chest, the one she’d be
Ariana paused at the edge of the terrace, the city lights stretching below like a glittering river. The air was cool, but it didn’t bother her. Too much was running through her mind to notice the temperature. Adrian came up behind her, silent as always, but not unnoticed. He didn’t speak at first—he never did unless he had to—but she felt his presence like a weight and a comfort at the same time. “You’re quiet,” he said finally. “I have a lot to think about,” she replied, still staring out over the city. He didn’t move closer, but she knew he was reading her as easily as if she had laid her thoughts bare. “About us?” he asked. She flinched slightly. She hadn’t meant to let it slip, but somehow the words hung in the air like a dare. “Partly,” she said cautiously. “Good,” he said, almost under his breath. “Because I’ve been thinking too.” That made her turn slightly to look at him. He wasn’t smiling, not really, but there was something softer in his expression. Something
The moment the elevator doors opened, Ariana stepped out first. She didn’t look back. She didn’t slow down. But she could feel him behind her. That steady presence. Calm. Certain. Like he already knew she would stop eventually. She didn’t. Not until she reached the far end of the hallwa
Ariana hurried along the glass corridor, her heels clicking against the cleaned polished floor. The office was buzzing with the usual Monday chaos. Phones rang, keyboards clattered, people shuffled papers and whispered in low tones. Her schedule was tight every minute accounted for but her mind kep
Ariana woke to the dull weight of unfinished thoughts.The contract still sat on the table where she had left it the night before, neat, signed, and impossible to ignore. Six months. Even now, it didn’t feel real.She pushed the thought aside and got out of bed, moving through her morning on instin
Ariana woke up to her phone buzzing again. Not once. Not twice. It kept vibrating on the bedside table until she finally opened her eyes with frustration. She stared at the screen. Cassy. She hesitated for a second, then answered. Before she could even greet her, Cassy’s voice rushed in immedi







